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It’s that time of year when most of us start receiving messages about the upcoming holiday season, beginning with Thanksgiving. I don’t want to miss this chance to wish each of you a happy turkey day gathering. And gathering people together is the clear hallmark of the season. Something I might suggest is to invite…
Paul Kosubinsky’s logbook tells the story of his true love affair with flight – from the J-3 Cub to the Boeing 747. Though he’s flown many different airplanes, “My heart has always remained in the Cub,” he says. Paul has stepped up to take on the role of RAF Virginia Liaison and will team up…
Our many RAF supporters have such vast and varied experience, and we’re capturing some of their words of wisdom to share with you. This guest editorial is by Mathieu Labs, a pilot, and RAF Vice President of Appreciation. A Life in Flight – From My First Ride to Giving Back: My aviation story really started before…
RAF President Bill McGlynn has worked for years with the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest, advocating for a way to ensure the ongoing preservation and maintenance of seven airstrips on the Forest. Moose Creek, within the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness; Shearer along the Selway River; Dixie USFS with access to the Gos
“Perfect October Ozark weather welcomed about twenty volunteers who descended, literally, on Trigger Gap Airfield for a weekend work party,” RAF Arkansas Liaison Harper Goodwin reports. Some drove in, and about 15 airplanes arrived with volunteers, their gloves, tools, chainsaws, and tents on Saturday, October 11. The
Ryan Field, 2MT1, is CLOSED Temporarily. See the gravel and bare areas on the Ryan Field runway in this October photo? We are closing the runway now to begin our plan to recover the bare areas with soil and new grass. “We are going to give it our best shot starting the week of October…
The RAF warmly welcomes Luke Reber to the State Liaison team. Luke was born and raised in McPherson, Kansas, where his passion for aviation began at an early age. Inspired by his father, Luke earned his Private Pilots License at 17, and has since added an instrument rating, seaplane rating, and a tailwheel endorsement.
How does that happen … making hard work easy that is? Well, you start out with a great group of people with diverse skills and you bring them together, and more or less get out of their way. With another year of flying nearly in the books, I find myself reflecting on this. Four places…
When RAF friends gather around the fire hub at an airfield, there’s always a good story to be told. We have brought that love of storytelling into a digital format, and hope you will enjoy the following new installment of our new RAF Podcast. RAF Director Steve Taylor’s father was a Boeing test pilot, and…
“Daggett County Commission just recently approved both the Taylor Flat Airstrip [Right Of Way] lease agreement with the BLM, and the application for an FAA identifier for Utah’s Taylor Flat Airstrip,” RAF Utah Liaison Wendy Lessig announced. Taylor Flat, in the northeast corner of Utah is managed by the BLM’s Vernal Fi
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John was blessed to have two neighbors with 1000s of hours in Cessna 185s, and obtained his private pilot license with their encouragement in 2013. They introduced him to the magic of backcountry Idaho and the amazing capabilities of a 185. He purchased his own at the Big Creek Lodge in 2014. John was introduced to the RAF in 2018, at a fly-out to Seeley Lake around AOPA’s Missoula fly-in, and a few weeks later at RAF’s fly-in at Ryan Field. He is a firm believer in the RAF’s mission. Without RAF’s advocacy, he fears the steady loss of precious resources. John retired from the Coca-Cola system in 2017 after 25 years of service. His career prior to Coke included five years in operations consulting with Booz Allen & Hamilton, and three years with Hewlett Packard in Boise, Idaho – where his love of the west was born. When not flying, John enjoys tennis, photography and woodworking – a skill he is actively applying to a new house he and his wife Blythe are building in Longboat Key, FL. His border collie, Tot (pictured here perched on her RTIC cooler throne), isn’t a fan of how loud a 185 is, but thinks Johnson Creek’s airstrip is the most amazing place to chase a frisbee on the planet. jhodgson@theraf.org Submitted October 30, 2025
Liz grew up in Louisiana, but she has lived in Georgia with her husband, Mike, for the past 35 years. They have two grown sons, John and Will. Liz’s interests include reading, DIY projects, walking/hiking, hanging out with friends, and accompanying Mike on camping trips, fishing excursions, or flights in his Carbon Cub. She enjoys spending time at their lake house and especially at their home in Driggs, Idaho. Her favorite vacations usually involve a national park. ltouchstone@theraf.org Submitted October 30, 2025
Ed wanted to fly as long as he could remember. Growing up as an “Air Force Brat,” his early life involved living on air bases, watching airplanes and living among Air Force pilots. His father flew P-47, P-38 and P-51 fighters in the South Pacific during the Second World War. Ed has enjoyed GA flying since getting his license to fly in 1977. He was exposed to and fell in love with backcountry flying only a few years ago. Among other airplanes, Ed has flown several types of backcountry planes. He currently flies a C182 King Katmai. Ed believes in the RAF and wants to do all he can to support the RAF Mission. ecooper@theraf.org Submitted October 30, 2025
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Paul Kosubinsky’s logbook tells the story of his true love affair with flight – from the J-3 Cub to the Boeing 747. Though he’s flown many different airplanes, “My heart has always remained in the Cub,” he says. Paul has stepped up to take on the role of RAF Virginia Liaison and will team up…
